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A Note from Dr. Whipple
September 15, 2023
See Something, Say Something
Given the events and concerns from earlier this week. we want to reiterate good practices when it comes to reporting concerns. Our first line of defense when it comes to safety often comes from our students. Please continue to have conversations with your children about notifying an adult staff member as soon as they can if they hear something or see something that poses a threat to safety. The sooner we are alerted, the better we can assess the level of threat. Also, please have conversations with your children about engaging in rumors regarding allegations. As we all know with the telephone game, the story can become distorted quickly and makes the investigative process to find the facts and truth more difficult. Thank you to those who notified us about the concern this week, and thank you to the Wayne County Sheriff’s department, the Wayne County Threat Assessment Task Force and Macedon PD. We greatly appreciate their partnership with us!
#GanandaPROUD
All-State Band Members
We had 4 students selected to participate in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Zone 2 Area All-State Festivals. This ties our record for the most ever selected from Gananda in a single year! In order to be selected, students need to perform at a Spring NYSSMA solo festival. At the solo festival the students perform scales, a prepared piece and a sight-reading excerpt. There were hundreds of applicants for each ensemble. The highest scoring students are selected for the Area All-State ensembles.
For Senior Area All-State, Cadence, Junior trumpet, was selected for her 3rd time(!) and Claire, Sophomore clarinet, was selected for her 2nd time. For Junior Area All-State, Joscelyn, Freshman bari. saxophone, and Mason, 7th grade tuba, were selected for their first time.
The Jr. Area All-State festival will take place at Batavia High School the weekend of November 3rd and 4th. The Sr. Area All-State festival will take place at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School the weekend of November 17th and 18th.
Congraluations and keep up the great work!
Senior Sunrise!
On Wednesday, the Seniors gathered together on the turf field to enjoy donuts, a beautiful sunrise and each other's company. It was great to see them all come together. They also did a great job forming a 24 for their group photo, a lot harder than it looks.😆 Thank you to Mrs. Chevier and Mrs. Zebulske, our Senior class advisors, for planning and organizing the event!
Sources of Strength Peer Leadership Training
Sources of Strength, a universal suicide prevention program, is designed to build protective influences and reduce the likelihood that vulnerable youth will become suicidal. The program trains students as peer leaders and connects them with adult advisors at school and in the community. We had 13 students participate in the leadership training on Thursday. Thank you to Mrs. Thoen, Mrs. Chevier and Mrs. Marang for organizing and advising this great group!
Thank you Officer Murray for coming in to teach students about crime scene investigations in Mrs. Peterson's Forensics class. Students got a taste of real life CSI.
HELP WANTED!
Substitute Teachers - We are always looking for people to help cover teachers when they are out. This can be a great opportunity for someone trying to break into the field of education. If you or someone you know might be interested please apply here.
Dollars for Scholars is looking for volunteers to help support this great scholarship program available to our students. If you are interested in helping them out, please contact them at gdfscholars@gananda.org.
Important Upcoming Dates
September Happenings - Check out our monthly newsletter here.
9/15-10/15 - Hispanic Heritage Month
9/22, 5:45pm - Boys Soccer Senior Night vs. Marion
9/25-9/29 - Start with Hello Week
9/26, 3:30-5:00pm, Macedon Public Library - Great Stories Club: Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Teens in grades nine through twelve are invited to read the Poet X and come to the library to discuss it. We will have pizza, pop and raffle prizes for participants. Come and have a good time talking about a good book! This book discussion has been made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a grant from the American Library Association. Please register if you are planning on attending using the following link: https://forms.gle/zjXjWnftX996H8Vc7
9/29 - Half-Day
9/30-10/6 - Homecoming Week!
10/6, 7:00pm - Homecoming Football Game vs Penn Yan/Dundee at Gananda
10/6 - 5-Week Interim Report & Ineligibility List Posted
10/9 - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day (No School)
10/11, 5:45pm - Girls Soccer Senior Night vs. Marion
10/12, 7:30am, HS Auditorium - PSAT (Juniors)
For other important information and documents please click the link above!
Looking forward to getting settled into the school routine now. Let's have a great week! Be Panther PROUD!
Respectfully,
Dr. Christopher J. Whipple
Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154
Ms. Mairi Greibus
Assistant Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154